Ningbo Customs officials examine the bauxite imported from Equatorial Guinea. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

A cargo vessel carrying 200,400 metric tons of bauxite from Equatorial Guinea recently arrived at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, solidifying Ningbo's position as a national hub for bulk commodity storage and transportation.

After being unloaded at the Zhongzhai terminal, the shipment was transported to metal smelting plants along the Yangtze River for the production of aluminum oxide and other products.

Nearly 2.77 million tons of metal ores from Africa were imported via Ningbo in the first half of this year, representing a 24.39 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to Ningbo Customs.

In recent years, Ningbo Customs has implemented various measures to streamline clearance procedures, resulting in shorter clearance times for goods. For imported ores, the average clearance time at Ningbo ports in the first half of this year was approximately 19 hours, a 34.53 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and Africa, with rich mineral resources, including bauxite, manganese, iron, and copper, has emerged as a crucial participant in the initiative. The availability of these resources complements China's strengths and helps to deepen cooperation between the two regions.